Game apparatus



Dec 12, 1944- R. K. PLUMMER ET Ax. 2,364,814

GAME? APPARATUS Filed Dec. 16, 1942` Patented Dec. 12, 1944 GAME APPARATUS Robert K. Plummer and Leon M. Hamlet. Minneapolis, and Taalkeus A. Blank, Rochester,

Minn;

Application December 16, 1942, Serial No. '469,186`

2 Claims. (Cl. 273-136,)

This invention relates to game apparatus andy particularly'to a very compact game kitand playing elements which is particularly designed for use by servicemen, defense workers, and others engaged in the present war program.

It is an object of the invention to Vprovide simple, economical, highly practical game apparatus which may be utilized in congestedplaces such as army barracks or recreational centers without requiring a table, stand, or other conventional means of support.

More specifically it is an object of our invention to provide game vapparatus which, when not inl use, may be easily folded up into the form :of a compact small kit and which in`use makes provision for encircling attachment of a game board and playing piece holder upon the leg of a lplayer with the'board faced upwardand with holding means for the playing pieces conveniently disposed for use.

A further object is the `provision of apparatus of the type described, wherein the game board, its securing means and holder for playing pieces are so related that playing pieces as used will be positively connected with `the board and cannot fall off of the same, and further that one or more playing faces of the' board may be conveniently disposed for use by two or more players and supported upon and secured to a leg of one of the players Vabove the knee.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the views, and, in which:

Fig. l is a -perspective view showing a form of my invention applied for luse to the leg of a player;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View showing the apparatus l'aid out flatwise on a vhorizontal surface;

Fig. 3 is a verticalV section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is `a plan yview showing the physical indicia on the under surface of the game board shown in Figs. l and 2; and

Fig. 5 is a Vertical section taken through the apparatus when it is secured together in the form of a compact kit.

In the form of our invention illustrated a sub` stantially rigid, rectangular game board B is provided, as shown, being made up of a lower block or plate 8 and a superimposed block or plate 9, both plates being adhesively or otherably interposed 'between the two plates theA end of a flexible band Il) which preferably is the width of blocks 8 and 9 and extends from lone edge of the board B to form an elongated flap vorband, the purposes of which will be later described.l

The blocks 8 and 9 maybe constructed from laminated or molded fibrousl or plastic material as is used in the` construction of the well known punchboards or may be constructed vof, wood or other material if desired. The outer faces -of I'each of the blocks 8 and 9 are preferably covered with printed indicia defining physical .playing spaces or areas, and substantially centrally'of each o f the defined playing areas peg receiving sockets 8a and 9a respectively are punched, .drilled or otherwise Vformed in the blocks 8- and 9` usually extending for ,convenience of manufacture through the entire thicknessfof the block'. The fabric or material ofthe band I0 betweenjthe blocks separates the sockets of the two' conwise secured together and there being prefernected` blocks andv defines closed ends for 'the socket passages.

In the form of the invention, illustrated,"one` face of game board B isprinted or designedas'a `checker or chess board and has peg receiving sockets 9a. formed ineach ofthe playing areas of contrasting colors making a total of sixtyfour peg receiving sockets. This board is also adapted to beused as a counter for the game of Cribbage, arrows lib on opposite corner spaces on the same edge of the board indicating the starting positions of respective players for the counting in the game. The opposite face of board B has printed or otherwise formed thereon designs arranged in intersecting crosses made -up of bars of various widths whereby a number of additional games Ymay be played, printed instructions for which may be carried in the receiving pocket of the band l0 later to be described. c

Band l0 is preferably provided with the pocket Illw formed at the outer end thereof, and is of a length to surround the board B with the pocket Illa disposed under the under block 8 of the board and with the'open or receiving end of the pocket Illa wrapped around the outer edge of the board and closed thereby by a line of folding. Pocket Illa can be conveniently formed by a continuation of band I0 folded back upon the band and having its side edges stitched or otherwise secured to the band proper and with its open end tions of suicient height for convenient grasping and removal or attachment. We prefer to make the -peg receiving sockets 9a. of approximately the diameter of an ordinary household match so that matches may be substituted for pegs if some of the -pegs become lost. v

A flexible securing or tying element l2 is attached to block v3B extending from the .same edge as extends the band I and is of adequate length to somewhat more than surround the leg of a player. The form disclosed is similar in construction to a shoelace having a tip [2a which 'is adapted to be inserted through an attachment element or loop |2b formed onathe'opposxite edge of board B Whereaiter a bowlknotmay .beformed for securing the entire device in operative position, as shown in Fig. 1, to .the leg of a player a short distance above the knee when the player is seated. When the device is so attachedthe band or flap I0 is of such length that .it Will partially embrace the leg with apocket 10a extending more or less vertically to preventI 'displacement of the .playing pieces or pegs. Attachment element 12e which may be in the form of a short eXible tying member extends from Ythe same edge of theblock as thesflexibleftyingelement l'2 and is adapted to cooperate with the free end of member I2 when the device is compacted by folding able. The combination of the board having positive elements such' as the sockets for engagement andy holding the playing pieces with the leg encircling means and lholder pocket for playing elements provides a game apparatus which can be conveniently utilized upon the leg of a seated kplayer without danger of the playing pieces falling or 4being displaced from the Yproper playing area. Our apparatus as disclosed further prothe band or i'lap Il) about the boardB, as shown in Fig. 5. Then the flexible `element l2 is Wound around .the outside-of .theband .or nflap and its end `ltied to the ,-exble .end I2C. I .find 'it Vconvenient to provide .flexible element l2, loop v|.2`b

`and short 'tying ,elementV .I'Zc 'all integrally .by

Amerely/taking amember such asa 4shoelace, vlooping the same and disposing lthe Abightportion of the loop .between theblocksll ,and 9 before the vsame .are secured Vtogether with the loop 12b protruding slightlybeyondone edge of ,the .board shelves,-'or other supporting -means .are not availvides a neat, small and compact kit when not in use which may be housed in ditty bags, small drawers or pieces of luggage.

From the foregoing description it Will be seen that we. have yprovided a simple, economical, game apparatus of high utility particularly adapted for use iin' service camps, factories, and congested places .for recreational purposes.

-It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts .Without departing from' the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

V1. Game apparatus comprising, Va substantially rigid playing board having a series of peg receiving sockets therein arranged in a pre-determined pattern', a flexible securing element extending from one edge of said board adapted to surround `the legof a player, and a cooperating securing element rat the opposite edge of said board adapted to be engaged and securedby said exible element yfor securing Asaid board substantially 'horizontally to the leg .of .a player.

2. Game apparatus comprising a substantially rigid ,playing board having a series of deined areas-for receiving playing pieces, a flexible securing element extending from .one edge of .said 

